Hello, everyone! :D Since those of you who have reviewed would like to see another chapter, I'd thought I'd comply and write another one. This one should be a bit longer. :D Enjoy…

Siblings and Elders

Kain poured over a large map on the table, placing colored tacks on certain areas he'd wished to discuss with Vorador. The green vampire rubbed his chin as he watched the scion mutter words under his breath.

"Talking to your imaginary friend again, Kain?" The pale vampire froze and sent a scowl to Vorador, which then turned into a smirk.

"Yes. He provides much more company than you do," he began in a voice with no meaning, "He is not evil like you." Kain placed a blue-colored tack on Willendorf. He smiled when he seen Vorador tense from the corner of his eye. The elder leaned forward on the table.

"What does the blue mean?" he asked curiously. Kain placed another blue tack on Avernus Cathedral before giving an answer.

"Those are the cities and sites that are under human control," he pointed. "The red…" he pulled out a red tack and placed it where Vorador's mansion would be, "…is our base of operations until we begin our expansion." The green vampire nodded. "The green is neutral ground, meaning farmers and merchants reside there, and are not a threat to our kind."

"So when it is time to move, you will force the innocent out of their homes for your empire?"

"Precisely," he said dryly and placed the unused colors back in their container. Vorador raised a brow.



"Janos would be disappointed in you, Kain. You know how he feels about humans, harmless ones as a matter of fact." Kain shrugged and placed the container on a wooden shelf, turning to Vorador with uncaring eyes.

"Well, tell him to join the 'disappointed at Kain clan.' Trust me, Vorador, he's not the first to hate my guts or ambition." The pale vampire made his way to the door and left the room. Vorador folded his arms.

"Bastard," he whispered.

OoOoOo

Dumah sat in the corner of his room, polishing his sword that was given to him by Vorador for being the strongest warrior. This surprised Kain when he found out and asked why he had not given it to Raziel, his firstborn, who was clearly stronger than Dumah. Vorador found amusement in Kain's voice as he defended his eldest child, but insisted that it go to his third born instead. Although Vorador admired Raziel and his good intentions, he found him to be nothing but a fool, arrogant and stubborn just like his father. But it didn't matter. Whatever Vorador said to Kain went into one ear and out the other, with the exception of his last words.

"Dumah will receive this blade because it would be wrong of me to steal the honor from your hands."

"What honor?" Kain asked, irritated.

"When it is time, you must give your firstborn son his first blade. Unless of course Raziel means nothing to you…" Dumah hardly paid any attention to their conversation as he was too busy drooling over his new blade. The argument happened over a week ago, but neither Raziel nor Dumah really lingered on it. The elders, however, never dropped the subject until Janos intervened, saying that 

fighting over a sword was worst than the fledglings fighting over the chess set. Of course, Kain never backed down until Vorador admitted he was wrong. And when he did, the serenity would satisfy the ancient, and he would return to his own important manners. But once he was out of sight, the other two would immediately settle their differences like men, fist to fist, outside. A little melee now and then would bring justice to them both…without Janos knowing.

OoOoOo

"Checkmate," Zephon said as he folded his arms behind his head, giving a satisfying sigh. Turel bit his lip and looked at the board in thought, as if trying to figure out where he made his error.

"If you would have moved there, Turel, you could've taken his knight, possibly giving you the chance to check him," began Rahab. "Don't let this wretch make you nervous." His blue eyes narrowed at Zephon. "I know his appearance is somewhat frightening but…" Zephon grinned in a shark-like way, cocking his head to one side.

"I'll take that as a compliment for my good looks. You know it's said that if you say something really mean to someone, it actually means the opposite." Zephon brought a finger up to touch his fang, as if picking something out. Rahab frowned.

"Oh? Alright then, I love you Zephon…with all my heart." He mumbled the last words. Zephon reacted by giving a look of curiosity.

"You…love me?" He shook his head. "I find that very difficult to believe." Rahab smiled.

"You should, as it means the opposite: I hate you Zephon…with all my heart." Turel smirked and Rahab rose to get a book from the shelf in his room. Once satisfied with his novel of choice, he sat in a chair by the window and began to read. Zephon gave several nods, narrowing his eyes at his older brother.



"Fine. I see the game you wish to play, Rahab. I'll get back at you soon enough. Don't you worry…" Turel rolled his eyes. The avenger, he thought.

"I want a re-match!" demanded Turel. Zephon began placing all his pieces back into their appropriate places, then handing Turel his own.

"Are you certain you wish to try your luck against me once more?" He asked teasingly. Turel nodded.

"I believe I've just said that." Zephon chuckled and shook his head.

"Chess is the game of kings, Turel. Strategy and patience are essential on this battlefield." His voice lowered in warning. "You have no patience and your strategy barely hangs by thin strings. How do you propose to defeat me?" Turel put a hand to his chin, his gaze hardening under Zephon's stare.

"I may not be as intelligent as you or possess the skill necessary to play this game and win, but I do know that, with my physical strength, I can put you in your grave…permanently." Zephon smiled, as if delighted by the idea.

"Sounds delicious. Although I'm sure you could, I don't think I'm ready to go just yet." Zephon moved a pawn forward with his finger. "Let's see what fate surprises us with this round, hmm?" Turel nodded.

"I just hope it's on my side."

OoOoOo

Raziel stood in front of his window, arms leaning on its frame, watching as the skies littered the ground with another hail storm. Occasionally, he would wipe the small layer of frost that had built up on the glass in order to see the ice plummet to the floor. He loved the snow. If he could only hold it without 

the ice melting into water, he would. Sure, he could wear gloves that would protect him from its acidic touch, but that defeated the whole purpose of feeling the snow, 'being' the snow. Raziel was only a fledgling now and he wondered if someday, when he became an elder, he could conquer all the things that made him weak; things that humans could touch, taste, and drink, like water and snow. He shook his head of such thoughts. Only time would tell.

The firstborn's ears twitched when he heard a small click behind him, indicating that someone had entered his room. He didn't bother to see who it was, knowing that the only one who entered with undeniable silence, was Kain. Raziel tensed when he heard heavy footsteps swiftly moving towards him. When he felt the presence of his master behind him, he gave an exasperated sigh.

"It is common courtesy to knock before entering another's room." He turned to his father and raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember hearing one." Kain smirked, guiding his gaze to the hail outside.

"I will come into anyone's room without knocking if I so desire, Raziel. Apparently you've forgotten who's in charge around here." He turned to his eldest with a hardened gaze. "Shall I refresh your memory?" Raziel swallowed.

"No. I beg your pardon, milord…" Kain shook his head in disappointment.

"Disobedient child. You are lucky I'm more concerned about your well-being than about your punishment. Tell me, what has confined you here?" Raziel gave a puzzled look.

"I…I don't…" He shook his head.

"I'm not stupid, Raziel. You've been in here since our return from the forest, and from what Janos tells me, you seemed somewhat…jealous of my talk with Vorador." Kain raised his brows. Raziel said nothing. "Care to tell me what that was about?"



"There's nothing to tell. I was not jealous of Vorador."

"Oh? So Janos is lying then?" Raziel folded his arms.

"No." He sighed. "I was just concerned as to why you didn't tell me whatever you told Vorador. I thought you said you trusted me?" Kain frowned.

"That's all?"He released a small chuckle. "Raziel you poor idiot. The only reason I talked to Vorador at all was to inform him of the human patrol guarding the entrance to Uschtenheim. I had scouted the area a few days before and the count had doubled since. I thought it'd be best if I kept my eye on them, seeing as they could launch an attack if we were discovered at some point. As far as telling you, I didn't bother because it was nothing of importance to a fledgling. You still have much to learn, Raziel, before I can trust you to leap into battle. And until then, I will be the one to judge your skills." Raziel's face became hot from embarrassment and he focused on the outside, noticing that the hail had slowed.

"Forgive me then. I have mistaken you…" he whispered. Kain put a hand on his shoulder.

"Yes you have. Had I been merciless like Vorador, you would've been beaten to the ground, bleeding and pleading with all your might for me to stop." Raziel looked uncomfortably at his master, but remained quiet.

"Of course, I am not going to bring such pain. But that doesn't rule out the fact that I might do so later on." Kain smirked and lifted Raziel's chin with his hand, rubbing it with his thumb. "Little Raziel, you don't know the pain you cause me. Such insolence…yet so obedient…" He let his hand drop and began walking towards the door smoothly. Opening it, he said, "Come, I have something for you." Without hesitation, Raziel obeyed.



Woo hoo!! End of the chapter!! Well, tell me what you guys think! I would appreciate whatever is on your mind…as long as it's not food. Lol jk But criticism could work…wink, wink. :D-Lil V.